When to plant beets in zone 4a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 4A

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 20First frost ~Sep 20Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors May 20 · Sow May 20 · First harvest Jul 14 · Wrap by Aug 11

Last spring frostMay 20

Start seeds indoorsMay 20

Direct sowMay 20

First harvestJul 14

Last harvestAug 11

Fall succession sowJul 26

First fall frostSep 20

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 20 and first fall frost Sep 20 — about 123 frost-free days. Beets tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 0 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 26 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does beets take to grow in zone 4a?

Beets matures in about 55–70 days from sowing. In zone 4a that means sowing around May 20 and first picking around Jul 14.

Will beets survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — beets tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 20).

Can I plant a second crop of beets in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 26 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full beets growing guide →